♦Manual Notice 2012-1
►1. Introduction
- ►1. Overview of Manual
  - ♦Manual’s Focus
  - ♦Importance of Traffic Data
  - ♦General Description of Work
  - ♦Traffic Counters’ Requirement
- ►2. Collecting and Posting Reliable Traffic Data
  - ♦Collecting Reliable Data
  - ♦Accurately Posting Data
- ♦3. Definitions
►2. Safety
- ♦1. Introduction
- ►2. Proper Attire
  - ♦Headgear
  - ♦Safety Vest
  - ♦Footwear
  - ♦Clothing
- ►3. Traffic Counter Vehicle
  - ♦Safety Standards
  - ♦Collisions
  - ♦Strandings
- ►4. Traffic Counter Safety
  - ♦Working at Night
  - ♦Working in Heat
  - ♦Working in Inclement Weather
  - ♦Compromised Condition of Counter
  - ♦Distractions
  - ♦Dangerous People
  - ♦Emergency Contacts
- ►5. Road Conditions
  - ♦Available Reports
  - ♦Wireless Internet Access
  - ♦TxDOT Safety Rest Areas
  - ♦TxDOT Travel Information Centers
►3. Preparing for Vehicle Classification Counts
- ►1. Equipment and Supplies
  - ♦Required Equipment and Supplies
  - ♦Recommended Supplies
- ►2. Reviewing Assigned Schedule
  - ♦Schedule Information
- ►3. Counting Station
  - ♦Locating Station
  - ♦Parking
  - ♦Posting State Traffic Survey Sign
  - ♦Leaving Site
- ►4. Synchronizing Timepiece
  - ♦Using the Internet for Official Time
  - ♦Using the Telephone for UTC Time
- ♦5. Trip Checklist
▼4. Classifying Vehicles
- ►1. Classification Categories
  - ♦FHWA 13-Category Scheme
  - ♦Classification Table
- ►2. Vehicle Classification Descriptions
  - ♦Motorcycles
  - ♦Passenger Cars
  - ♦Pickups, Panels, Vans
  - ♦Buses
  - ♦Single Unit Trucks
  - ♦Combination Trucks (Pulling Trailers)
►5. Counting Vehicles
- ►1. Counting Instructions
  - ♦Introduction
  - ♦Directional (Two-Way) Counts
  - ♦Three-Way Counts
  - ♦Four-Way Counts
►6. Using Form 1617A
- ►1. Setting Up Form 1617A
  - ♦Required Format
  - ♦Header Information
- ►2. Form 1617A Blocks
  - ♦General Information
  - ♦Counting Scenarios
- ►3. Entering Numerical Data
  - ♦Hours
  - ♦Motorcycles
  - ♦Cars and Pickups
  - ♦Other Vehicles
  - ♦Weather and Traffic
  - ♦Reset Counter
- ♦4. Calculating Totals
►7. Communications
- ►1. Internal Communication
  - ♦Reporting Problems
- ►2. Dealing with the Public
  - ♦Harassment by the Public
  - ♦Requests for Traffic Counts
- ►3. Law Enforcement Inquiries
  - ♦Identification Documents
♦A. Vehicle Classification Using FHWA 13-Category Scheme
♦B. Form 1617A (Example)
♦C. TxDOT District Map and Code Numbers
♦D. Schedule Example
♦E. Station Examples (with GPS Locations)
♦F. Form 1617A Header Information
♦G. Texas Counties and Code Numbers
►H. Submitting Data to TPP
- ►1. Traffic Counter Duties
  - ♦Providing Field Data
  - ♦Software Requirements
- ►2. Excel Data Entry Instructions
  - ♦About the Excel Spreadsheets
  - ♦The Data Entry Process
  - ♦Validating Data Entry
- ►3. Converting Excel Files to Text Files
  - ♦Example of a Text File

Chapter 4: Classifying Vehicles

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Section 1: Classification Categories

FHWA 13-Category Scheme

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommends that highway agencies use the 13-Category Scheme to classify vehicles. TxDOT uses the FHWA scheme for its manual vehicle classification program, and it is essential that traffic counters classify vehicles accurately in accordance with this scheme.

The FHWA 13-Category Scheme is separated into categories depending on whether the vehicle carries passengers or commodities. Non-passenger vehicles are further subdivided by the number of axles and number of units, including both power and trailer units. Note that the addition of a trailer to vehicle classes 1 to 5 does not change the classification of the vehicle.

Figure 4-1. FHWA 13-Category Scheme for Vehicle Classifications.

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Classification Table

Anchor: #i999903FHWA 13-Category Scheme -- Classification Table
Broad Categories	Classification Number	General Description	Definition	Additional Identifiers	Sub-class
Passenger carriers	1	Motorcycles	2 axles, 2 or 3 wheels.	Also motor scooters, mopeds, and 3-wheel motorcycles.
	2	Passenger cars	2 axles. Can have 1- or 2-axle trailers.	Short-bed pickup (5-6’), no extended cab; SUVs; minivan; sedan.
	3	Pickups, panels, vans	2-axle, 4-tire single units. Can have 1- or 2-axle trailers.	Long-bed pickup (8’), no extended cab; short-bed and long-bed pickups with extended cab or 4 doors; conversion van; full-size work van; limousine - regular; short-bed dually.
	4	Buses	2- or 3-axle, full length.	School; transit; private; commercial. Does not include compact school buses.
Commodities Carriers	5	Single-unit trucks	2-axle, 6-tire, (dual rear tires), single-unit trucks.	Approx. 21’ steering to rear axles; 8’ bed dually with 4 full doors; dump or sewage truck (with or without 2-axle trailer); compact school bus or 4 full doors; extended limousines.
	6	Single-unit trucks	3-axle, single-unit trucks.	Dump truck; single tractor with 3 axles and no trailer; oil field equipment.
	7	Single-unit trucks	4 or more axle, single-unit trucks.	4 or more axle trucks on a single frame.
	8	Single-trailer trucks	3- or 4-axle, single-trailer trucks.	2-axle truck/tractor pulling single 1-axle trailer; 2-axle pulling single 2-axle trailer; 3-axle pulling single 1-axle trailer.	2S1 2S2 3S1
	9	Single-trailer trucks	5-axle, single-trailer trucks.	3-axle truck/tractor pulling single 2-axle trailer (18-wheeler); 2-axle pulling single 3-axle trailer; dump truck pulling 2-axle trailer.	3S2 3S2-Split
	10	Single-trailer trucks	6 or more axle, single-trailer trucks.	3-axle truck/tractor with single 3 or more axle trailer.	3S3 3S4
	11	Multi-trailer trucks	5 or less axle, multi-trailer trucks.	2-axle truck/tractor with 2 trailers, the first trailer with 1 axle, the second trailer with 2 axles.	2S1-2
	12	Multi-trailer trucks	6-axle, multi-trailer trucks.	2-3 axle truck/tractor with 2 trailers, the first trailer with 1-2 axles, the second trailer with 2 axles.	2S2-2 3S1-2
	13	Multi-trailer trucks	7 or more axle, multi-trailer trucks.	3-axle truck/tractor with 2 or more trailers.	3S2-2